The Solaris Irregulars
Part 9: Bad News
SLS Spirit Sight
Nadia Jump Point
System AGE-9972-6707
Federated Commonwealth
Cairo was reading when he got the call to report to the Spirit Sight's bridge. He was able to make is way there easily due to the small magnetic plates he had sewn into his shoes. Jackson had given him the idea, saying that he always used them. When he reached the Warship's bridge, the first thing he noticed was the expression on Star-Commodore Ivan Leroux face. The Clan Naval officer handed Cairo a note-puter.
Cairo read the data on the screen twice before looking up "When did you receive this?"
"Two hours ago." the Star-Commodore looked glum, "It has taken it that long for it to sink in."
"May I use the intercom to address the crew?"
The Claner handed over a microphone.
Cairo wondered what to say, and in the end, he spoke from the heart "Attention all hands, now here this: we have just received a HPG communication from Tukayyid. The worlds of Solaris VII, Northwind, Epsilon Eridani, Glengarry, Hesperus III and Kathil have fallen to Word of Blake forces. There are reports that elements of the Northwind Highlanders and the Grey Death Legion where able to escape their home worlds, and that units from the Eridani Light Horse and the 1st Royal BattleMech Regiment managed to make it off of Kathil, but these unit's are no bigger than a single regiment at best. Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, Lyran Alliance Armed Forces, and Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery units have been forced to pull back from worlds bordering the Free Worlds League, the Capellan Confederation and the Chaos March. These units are said to be at most half-strength. Over half the FedCom WarShip fleet is believed lost after the fall of Kathil."
He gave the crew's of the Spirit Sight and Shimmering Star a moment to take in what he had just said. "Reports also tell of an army of Mercenaries massing in the former Arc Royal Defensive Cordon. Units said to be involved include the remnants of the Wolf Dragoons, Northwind Highlanders and the Grey Death Legion, as well as Group W, the Wild Bunch, Princes Richards Panzers and the Kell Hounds. Dozens of smaller units have also made their way to planets under Morgan Kell's control, and are said to be massing for a counter-attack along the Lyran front."
Again Cairo broke off to give the crews time to comprehend what he had said. "Precenter Martail Victor Steiner-Davion has declared a full state of emergency, as have Archon Peter Steiner-Davion of the Lyran Alliance, First Princes Yvonne Steiner-Davion of the Federated Commonwealth, and Coordinator Theodore Kurita of the Draconis Combine." Cairo struggled to regain his composure "If any of you wish to leave the Irregulars due to the current state of affairs, you may do so without any fear of reprisal."
In the end, no one took up Cairo's offer: The Solaris Irregulars where in the war for the duration.
TBC...